Illinois Medical Marijuana Patients up to 4,400

Illinois is continuing to approve patients to use medical marijuana, with about 400 more approval letters sent in January.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced last week that it has approved 4,400 patients for the pilot program. That includes 32 children.

The pace of approvals is about the same as December. Marijuana industry players are watching the numbers closely as they push for more outreach to doctors, who have been reluctant to approve patients. Qualifying patients pay an annual fee of $100 for a marijuana card and need a doctor’s written certification.

Regulated marijuana sales began in Illinois on November 9. The pilot program is set to expire at the end of 2017 unless new legislation is passed.

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